JP2015173787A - rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rice cooker whose top face has no protrusion by operation means.SOLUTION: A rice cooker includes a body, a lid body for opening/closing the top part of the body, an inner pot provided in the body, heating means for heating the inner pot, display means composed of a full-dot liquid crystal display instrument, operation means composed of a touch panel, and control means for controlling the heating means. The control means is configured so as to control the heating means in response to the input from the operation means. By this configuration, an electric rice cooker with no protrusion by an operation button can be acquired.

Description

  The present invention relates to a rice cooker having operation means.

Conventionally, an operation button serving as an input receiving unit facing upward, and an operation switch mounted on the substrate, an operation means is provided by interposing a protective sheet made of an elastic material between the operation button and the operation switch. There is a configured electric rice cooker (hereinafter, rice cooker).
As described above, the operation unit of the rice cooker is configured such that when the operation button is pressed, the operation switch is mechanically pressed, the switch is turned on, and a signal is transmitted from the operation switch to the control means (for example, a patent). Reference 1).

JP-A-6-125 (FIG. 1)

  However, the conventional rice cooker has a problem that the operation button protrudes in order to ensure a stroke for pressing the operation switch.

  This invention is made | formed in order to solve the above subjects, and it aims at providing the rice cooker without the protrusion by an operation means on an upper surface.

  In order to solve the above problems, in a rice cooker, a main body, a lid body for opening and closing the upper portion of the main body, an inner pot provided in the main body, a heating means for heating the inner pot, and a full-dot liquid crystal display The control means may be configured to control the heating means in response to an input from the operation means.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the electric rice cooker without the protrusion part by an operation button can be obtained.

The perspective view of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 (display means non-display state) Top view of the rice cooker shown in FIG. 1 (display means display state) XX sectional view of FIG. The block diagram of the drive circuit of the rice cooker shown in FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. Schematic diagram A showing relationship between display means and operation means Schematic diagram B showing relationship between display means and operation means The figure which shows the display means which displays the rice seed selection mode which selects the kind of rice to cook rice The top view which looked at the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 2 from upper direction Front view of rice cooker according to Embodiment 3 The perspective view of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 4. Configuration diagram of drive circuit of rice cooker according to Embodiment 5

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 is a perspective view of a rice cooker according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a top view of the rice cooker shown in FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a drive circuit of the rice cooker shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram A showing the relationship between the display means and the operation means. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram B showing the relationship between the display means and the operation means. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing display means for displaying a rice seed selection mode for selecting the type of rice to be cooked.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the rice cooker 1 includes a main body 3, a lid body 4 that covers the upper portion of the main body 3, and an inner pot 2 that is held inside the main body 3. The inner pot 2 is for holding the cooked food inside, and is formed of a magnetic material such as SUS430.
The main body 3 is formed with an opening 3a through which the inner hook 2 is taken in and out, and the lid 4 is pivotally supported so as to open and close the opening 3a. Further, an induction heating coil that is a heating means 5 for electromagnetic induction heating of the inner hook 2 is provided at a position of the main body 3 facing the inner hook 2.

A temperature detecting means 9 is provided at the bottom of the opening 3a. This temperature detection means 9 is comprised of a thermistor or the like, presses against the bottom surface of the inner hook 2 from below with a compression spring or the like, detects the temperature of the inner hook bottom surface, and outputs a detection signal.
This temperature detection means 9 is electrically connected to the control means 6 described later, and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected temperature.

The temperature detecting means 9 detects the temperature of the bottom surface of the inner pot to control the energization of the heating means 5 during rice cooking, and at the time of keeping warm, the temperature of the bottom surface of the inner pot stored in the control means 6 in advance as described later. Using the correlation table with the temperature of the cooked rice, the temperature of the cooked rice is estimated and controlled from the detected temperature of the bottom of the inner pot.
The temperature detecting means 9 may be provided with an infrared sensor on the lower surface of the lid 4 so as to face the inner pot 2 to directly detect the temperature of the upper surface of the cooked rice in the inner pot 2.

Next, referring to FIGS. 3 to 4, a control means 6 is provided inside the main body 3. The control means 6 is composed of an inverter circuit for supplying a high frequency current of several tens of kilohertz to the heating means 5 and a microcomputer having a RAM, ROM, etc. serving as a storage unit. Correlation table, a rice cooking sequence that is a combination of the inner pot temperature and cooking time corresponding to each menu, and a heat retention temperature sequence corresponding to the heat retention mode are stored in advance.
The control means 6 receives a detection signal output from the temperature detection means 9, a time measurement signal output from the time measurement means 10 constituted by a timer, and an operation signal output from the operation means 20 described later.

And the control means 6 carries out energization control of the heating means 5 according to a rice cooking sequence and a heat retention temperature sequence based on the detection signal of the temperature detection means 9 and the timing signal of the timing means 10.
The control means 6 outputs a predetermined signal based on an input from the operation means 20 or various detection means or a predetermined sequence, and a display means 12 described later or a sound notification means 7 by sound (for example, a buzzer element or a speaker). Control each electronic component.

Next, referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 to 7, the display unit 12 includes a full-dot liquid crystal display, and is provided on the lid 4 with the display surface facing upward.
And the display means 12 is electrically connected with the control means 6, Based on the signal output from this control means 6, various information and operations, such as the setting regarding rice cooking control of the rice cooker 1 mentioned later, and an operation condition The input information from the means 20 is displayed.

Next, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the operation means 20 is configured by a touch panel that allows the user to input by directly touching the input receiving unit 20 a.
This touch panel is an operation means 20 including a capacitance type switch that detects a change in capacitance that occurs when a user touches and outputs an operation signal corresponding to a position where the capacitance has changed.

The operation means 20 is made of a light transmissive member and is provided at a position overlapping the display means 12. That is, the display unit 12 is covered with the operation unit 20. By arranging in this way, the display content of the display means 12 can be visually recognized through the operation means 20.
In this operation means 20, the area facing the display means 12 is the input receiving unit 20 a and outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the input receiving unit 20 a touched by the user to the control means 6.

  As described above, since the input means is constituted by the display means 12 and the operation means 20 by the touch panel, there is no need to use the protruding operation buttons for forming the input keys, and there is no protruding portion by the operation means 20. Can be obtained.

Moreover, the rice cooker 1 which comprises each part as mentioned above operate | moves as follows.
Referring to FIG. 6, first, a key display 12a indicating operation keys is displayed on the display means 12 in accordance with the state of the rice cooker. For example, as the key display 12a, if the rice cooking operation is not started, a rice cooking start key, a timer setting key, a cooking setting key for adjusting the cooked state, and the like are displayed.

  By combining the key display 12a meaning each key and the input receiving portion 20a of the operation means 20 facing the key display 12a, various operation keys are virtually formed. In other words, the facing area 21a of the input receiving unit 20a facing the key display 12a is assigned as a virtual input key corresponding to the key display 12a.

That is, the input receiving part 20 a of the operation unit 20 is instructed by the display unit 12 for the input range of various keys.
For example, when the display of the predetermined area of the display means 12 is displayed as “rice cooking start key”, the area of the input reception site 20a opposite to this display functions as a rice cooking start key, and the user can set the position at that position. The input signal from the operating means 20 to the control means 6 by touching becomes a signal instructing the start of the rice cooking operation.

  Further, referring to FIG. 7, the control means 6 changes the display of the display means 12, and changes the facing area 21a of the input receiving part 20a facing this display to an input key corresponding to the display, thereby making an input. You can change the number of keys and the type of input.

For example, when the cooking mode setting key is operated to shift to the cooking mode setting mode in which the state of cooked rice is set more finely, the key display indicating the type of cooking is “hard” or “soft” on the display means 12. ”,“ Mochimochi ”,“ shakuri ”and“ normal ”are displayed, and the opposing area 21 a of the input receiving portion 20 a facing these displays is respectively operated by“ hard setting key ”“ soft setting key ”“ mochimochi setting key ” Various setting keys are virtually configured by setting “quick setting key” and “normal setting key”.
The user can change the operation setting of the heating means at the time of cooking by selecting one of these keys to select the cooked state of the rice.

In addition, when the control unit 6 receives input from the operation unit 20 in a state where the user touches the operation unit 20 with a finger, the control unit 6 synchronizes with the movement of the finger to display the display unit 12. Control the operation to change the contents.
For example, referring to FIG. 8 showing the rice selection mode for selecting the type of rice to be cooked, from the rice variety “white rice unwashed rice” (state (a)) displayed as an option, another rice variety “brown rice” "(State of (c)), when the display means 12 is in a state where" white rice non-washed rice "is displayed, the user should slide leftward while touching the operation means 20 with a finger. Thus, the next selection item “brown rice” is displayed.

As described above, when an item is selected from many choices by interlocking the content displayed on the display unit 12 and the input operation to the touch panel as the operation unit 20, the flow of change of the selected item is changed. , Including the movement of items before and after, can be expressed in an easy-to-understand manner.
In particular, since the display means 12 uses a full-dot liquid crystal, it can be expressed in detail so that the selected item moves leftward from the display state and disappears from the display screen. Can be displayed as a series of movements.
That is, the display can be continuously changed according to the movement of the finger, and the change in the setting display can be expressed in an easy-to-understand manner. In addition, the control means 6 controls a heating means according to the selected rice seed | species, and performs the rice cooking suitable for the characteristic of rice.

In addition, the display means 12 that performs the above display may have a color similar to the color of the upper surface of the lid 4 in a state where the display is not performed (at the time of a power failure).
By comprising in this way, in the state which the color of the upper surface of the cover body 4 and the color of the non-display state of the display means 12 become close, the rice cooker 1 is not used, or the display means 12 became non-display. It can be a simple design.
For example, when the color of the upper surface of the lid 4 is black, the color of the upper surface of the lid 4 can be brought into a sense of unity by setting the color of the non-display state of the display unit 20 to black. .

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure similar to Embodiment 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the rice cooker 1 according to Embodiment 2 as viewed from above. On the upper surface of the lid 4 of the rice cooker 1, a steam port 30 for discharging water vapor generated from the inner pot during rice cooking is opened, and the display means 12 is provided on the lid 4 with the display surface facing upward. ing.

The steam port 30 is located on the rear side of the rice cooker 1, the display means 12 is located on the front side of the rice cooker 1, and the steam port 30 and the display means 12 are arranged with a space therebetween. Further, the input receiving portion 20 a of the operation means 20 including a touch panel is provided in the entire portion that covers the upper portion of the display means 12 and reaches the vicinity of the steam port 30.
In addition, the predetermined area | region from the side near the steam port 30 of the input reception site | part 20a is set as the steam port vicinity area | region 201a (shaded part in a figure).

The rice cooker 1 which comprised each part as mentioned above operate | moves as follows.
The control means 6 controls the notifying means so that the user can recognize when there is an input by touching the vicinity of the steam opening 201a, for example, when the user brings his hand close to the steam opening 30, A notification is given so as not to bring the hand close to the steam port 30.
When the display unit 12 is used as the notification unit, a warning message such as “Please do not bring your hand close to the steam port” is displayed in the display area. Further, when the sound notification means 7 such as a speaker is used as the notification means, a warning sound such as “Do not bring your hand close to the steam port” is generated by a warning sound or voice.

  These notification functions may be operated only when steam is discharged from the steam port 30 (when the steam port 30 is hot). In this case, for example, when the control means 6 acquires the temperature inside the inner pot 4 or the temperature of the steam port 30 directly, judges whether or not the steam is discharged, and when the steam is released Only the notification function is configured to operate.

  Alternatively, the notification function may be operated after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of rice cooking, and the notification function may be stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed. This predetermined time is a period from the start of rice cooking to the end of rice cooking and the heat insulation process, and is a time zone in which the steam outlet 30 is at a high temperature, and is set in advance by experiments and theory.

  As described above, when the user brings his hand close to the steam port 30 or the like, the rice cooker can be used more safely by notifying that the steam port is hot. Moreover, an unnecessary notification can be prevented by operating the notification function only when the steam port 30 is at a high temperature.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a front view of the rice cooker according to the third embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure similar to Embodiment 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
The lid 4 of the rice cooker 1 is configured in a curved shape so that the upper surface 4a is lower than the inner side. Further, the upper surface of the input receiving unit 20 a of the operation means 20 is also configured to be a curved surface so that the outer side is lower than the inner side along the shape of the upper surface of the lid body 4.

By configuring the shape of the upper surface of the input receiving unit 20a as described above, when water droplets or the like adhere to the input receiving unit 20a, water drops easily flow from the inside to the outside of the input receiving unit 20a. Therefore, even if the operation means 20 is constituted by a capacitive touch panel, malfunctions due to water droplets can be reduced.
In addition to the above configuration, the upper surface of the input receiving unit 20a may be subjected to water repellent finishing. Thereby, a water droplet can be made easier to flow from the inner side to the outer side of the input receiving unit 20a.

The upper surface shape of the input receiving unit 20a has been described as an example of a curved surface as described above. However, any shape other than the curved surface described above may be used as long as water drops attached to the input receiving unit 20a can easily flow. For example, the input receiving unit 20a may be tilted with respect to the horizontal plane so as to tilt forward.
In the present embodiment, the operation unit 20 including a touch panel is attached to the lid body 4. However, the same applies to a configuration in which the operation unit 20 is provided on the main body 3 side.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a rice cooker according to the fourth embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure similar to Embodiment 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
Non-contact communication means 40 connected to the control means 6 is provided on the upper surface side of the lid 4 of the rice cooker 1. The non-contact communication means 40 includes, for example, an IC chip (semiconductor integrated circuit) that stores information and an antenna or coil that serves as a transmission / reception unit. This is a so-called IC tag that exchanges information with an external reading terminal A in a non-contact manner.

  The reading terminal A used in the vicinity of the non-contact communication means 40 is configured to be able to communicate by transmitting a radio wave to the non-contact communication means 40 in the information reading mode. A terminal that can be connected to the Internet, such as a dedicated terminal corresponding to the device 1, a mobile phone or a multi-function information terminal (so-called smartphone) is used.

Thus, by providing the non-contact communication means 40, it becomes possible to transfer the information of the rice cooker 1 to an external terminal, and to confirm with an external terminal.
In particular, in the case of the present embodiment, when the rice cooking operation is performed without displaying the display unit 12 in order to reduce power consumption, the information of the rice cooker can be easily read from the non-contact communication unit 40. It becomes possible to grasp.
Further, when the terminal A is in the information transmission mode, it is possible to transmit information delivered from the Internet to the rice cooker 1 and add the latest menu function and the like.

(Embodiment 5)
Next, Embodiment 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a drive circuit for the rice cooker according to the fifth embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure similar to Embodiment 4, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
Referring to FIG. 12, the rice cooker 1 is provided with a human sensor 50 that detects that a person has approached the rice cooker 1. The human sensor 50 is connected to the control means 6 and outputs a signal when the approach of a person is detected.

When the display means 12 is not displayed and the control means 6 inputs a signal when a person approaches from the human sensor 50, if the rice cooking operation, the heat retaining operation, or the timer reservation is in progress, the display is displayed. The means 12 is displayed and the current state of the rice cooker 1 is displayed. Further, in a standby state waiting for user input, a display indicating that the user is in a standby state is displayed.

Thus, by performing the display of the display means 12 using the human sensor 50, it is possible to suppress the display state in the absence of a person, thereby saving energy.
In addition, when the display unit 12 is not displayed as in the rice cooker 1, since the keys operated by the user are desired to be displayed, the human sensor 50 displays these keys so that the user can operate. It can be configured not to get lost.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rice cooker, 2 Inner pot, 3 Main body, 4 Cover body, 5 Heating means, 6 Control means, 7 Voice alerting means, 9 Temperature detection means, 10 Timing means, 12 Display means, 12a Key display, 20 Operation means, 20a Input receiving unit, 201a Steam port vicinity region, 30 steam port, 40 non-contact communication means, 50 human sensor.

Claims (12)

A main body, a lid for opening and closing the upper portion of the main body, an inner pot provided in the main body, a heating means for heating the inner pot, a display means comprising a full-dot liquid crystal display, and an operation means comprising a touch panel; A control means for controlling the heating means,
The said control means controls the said heating means according to the input from the said operation means, The rice cooker characterized by the above-mentioned.   2. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is configured by a light-transmitting member and is disposed at a position overlapping the display unit.   The rice cooker according to claim 2, wherein a range of the input receiving portion of the operation means is indicated by a display of the display means.   The rice cooker according to claim 3, wherein the input receiving part is changed in conjunction with a change in display of the display means.   The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the display content of the display means is changed by sliding a finger while the user touches the operation means with a finger. The main body or the lid is formed with a steam port for discharging steam from the inner pot to the outside,
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when there is an input signal from the operation means located within a predetermined range from the steam port, a notification display is performed on the display means. In the main body or the lid body, a steam port for discharging steam from the inner pot to the outside is formed, and voice notification means is provided inside,
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when there is an input signal from the operation means located within a predetermined range from the steam port, a warning is given by voice from the voice notification means.   The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a surface of the operation means is formed of a curved surface.   The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a surface of the operation means is water-repellent.   The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the main body or the lid is provided with non-contact communication means.   11. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the display means sets the color of the non-display state to a color similar to the color of the upper surface of the lid.   The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein a human sensor is provided on the main body or the lid.

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